Chapter 452 Uncovering the Truth


    Freya nodded and said, “I figured just as much, but I’ve already investigated and confirmed that Darrin


    is backing Helga.”


    It was worth noting that without Darrin’s financial support, Helga’s studio would’ve long been deeply


    embroiled in a micawsuit, and she might already be doing time at this point. So, what drove Darrin to


    invest in a perfumery studio with a tarnished reputation?


    Freya squinted her eyes, and soon she would have the answers. At the annual meeting, she was


    determined. to uncover Darrin’s motivations and find a solution.


    Three days flew by in the blink of an eye and came the day of the Donnelly Group’s annual meeting.


    Darrin even invited a significant number of media representatives.


    The annual meeting was held in the grand hall adjacent to the Donnelly Tower. Darrin was quite


    particr about the extravagance. As such, preparations for the Donnelly Group’s annual meeting had


    started two months prior. The entire venue was impressively grand.


    In previous years, the Donnelly Group’s annual meetings were held in Capitael. As a result, Radley and


    Freya hadn’t visited the Donnelly Group before. This was the first time the annual meeting was being


    held. in Caltun, and many prominent families in Caltun had received invitations from the Donnelly


    Group.


    Being the thirdrgest group in Caltun, représentatives from various localpanies attended, most


    apanied by their spouses, showing their respect for the Donnelly Group.


    Freya and Radley arrived right on time. When they entered the hall, numerous guests were already


    present.Content held by N?velDrama.Org.


    The media reporters invited by Darrin were setting up their equipment as Darrin would soon deliver a


    speech from the tform.


    Freya scanned the guests and quickly spotted the host of the annual meeting. In the crowd not far


    away, Darrin himself was surrounded by people.


    Freya exchanged a nce with Radley, and they proceeded to walk over.


    Many people in the venue had already noticed Radley and Freya and were considering approaching to


    greet them. However, when they saw the couple walking toward Darrin, they wisely halted their steps.


    “The Donnelly family has always wanted to outshine the Monaghans and Kaufmanns, and the two of


    them. have never gotten along with this outsider. What’s going on now?”


    “I’m not sure. Keep your voice down. Let’s see how things unfold.”


    Freya ignored the surrounding whispers and walked hand in hand with Radley to where Darrin was.


    Several people who were previously surrounding Darrin politely stepped back a few steps upon seeing


    the arrival of Radley and Freya, giving space to the two.


    Darrin, as if he had just noticed Radley and Freya, immediately broke into a radiant smile. “Well, if it


    isn’t Mr. Monaghan and Miss Kaufmann! Your presence today truly adds luster to our humble


    company.”


    Darrin’s face crinkled when he smiled. His facial structure was somewhat rectangr, resembling the


    appearance of someone who did manualbor, giving him a weathered look.


    Freya returned a polite smile. “The Donnelly Group has been established in Caltun for over a decade,


    and it was about time we paid a visit. However, the Donnelly Group’s headquarters is in Capitael, and


    you’re not often in Caltun. This is our first meeting, indeed a rare asion.”


    Freya finished with a smile, and Darrin put on an appearance of being pleasantly surprised. “Miss


    Kaufmann, please don’t say that. You’re ttering me. I came to establish apany in Caltun, so it


    should. be me visiting you.”


    Radley stood nearby, his expression cool. “No need for pleasantries, Mr. Donnelly. We’re here primarily


    to attend the Donnelly Group’s annual meeting, and we also have a question for you.”


    “What can I help you with, Mr. Monaghan?” Darrin feigned an air of curiosity.


    Freya couldn’t help but sneer inwardly. Darrin must have known the purpose of their visit, but he was


    well-versed in diplomacy, and businessmen never make a scene too ugly.


    With a smile on her face, Freya said, “How about we find a quieter ce to sit down and talk?”


    Darrin seemed a bit hesitant and gestured toward the guests present. “Miss Kaufmann, today is the


    Donnelly Group’s annual meeting, and there are many guests waiting for my hospitality. If you have any


    questions, feel free to ask me here. I will certainly be open and honest.”


    The look in Radley’s eyes turned colder, Freya pursed her lips and lightly squeezed Radley’s hand.


    Darrin had likely anticipated their visit that day. The media reporters had set up their equipment, and if


    they were to confront Darrin here, it might not bode well.


    “Very well, let’s discuss it after the annual meeting.” Freya smiled.


    Darrin seemed surprised by Freya’s tolerance. He gave her a somewhat ambiguous look and smiled,


    his wrinkles deepening, exuding a sly and slippery charm. “Miss Kaufmann, perhaps your questions will


    be answered after the annual meeting,” he said.


    Freya frowned. What does he mean by that?


    The annual meeting started promptly, and all the guests had now taken their seats.


    Darrin took the stage, and the audience fell silent.


    Freya crossed her arms and listened to Darrin’s speech. He talked about officially shifting the Donnelly


    Group’s headquarters from Capitael to Caltun. This annual meeting was just the beginning, and he


    nned to move the entirepany to Caltun in the near future.


    Darrin praised Caltun and, in the end, looked toward Freya and Radley. He made a pointed statement,


    saying. “The Donnelly Group’s goal is to be the leadingpany in Caltun


    The guests at the event were predominantly local leaders and CEOs from Caltun. Many of them had a


    strong sense of local pride. When Darrin’s words hit the audience, several pairs of eyes turned toward


    Freya and Radley,


    “Darrin is quite daring, openly provoking them.”


    “He’s got guts, challenging both major families at once)


    “Sounds like a storm is brewing in Caltun. We better think carefully about which side to stand with for


    the future development of ourpanies”


    “Choosing a side is not necessarily the best option. I’ve always been conservative,” someone quietly


    discussed.


    “Not choosing a side? Haven’t you heard the saying, ‘When giants sh, the little guy gets hurt?’


    Picking th right side early is the way to go. Otherwise, which of these three can you handle if you get


    caught up in this?”


    The audience seemed to be deep in thought. Freya’s expression remained unchanged, and she


    smiled. lightly. However, her eyes were sharp and cold, like they were reflecting icy des.


    Radley sat beside her, calmly observing Darrin as he spoke on stage. It seemed that Darrin’s


    provocation. had no effect on him.


    The scene was filled with shing cameras.


    Freya leaned toward Radley and whispered with a smile, “It looks like Darrin is not as confident as he


    pretends. He deliberately provoked us in front of so many people, probably to boost his own morale.”


    Radley, with a faint smile on his lips, replied, “He has never realized that the reason he managed to


    secure a prominent position in Caltun in recent years is that I never considered him a realpetitor.


    Neither of our families has ever suppressed the Donnelly Group. He thinks he achieved it through his


    own efforts.”


    Freya nodded. At least in her eyes, Darrin was far from deserving the attention of Radley.